I hunt a lot of shallow rivers very rocky. I can't decide what boat to buy either a godevil 1860sd with the 35, or excel 1645 with a 25 min. Everybody tell me the longer the better but then others say the 1645 would work better. Normally hunt 2 guys and dog with medium gear. Any help would be great just worried about weight. Don't wont to tear up another boat.

If it very shallow with rocks, the wider hull will draft less water and carry a load better than a skinner hull. Having said that, I would also recommend a 3/16 bottom if your running rocks.

Hunting usually only two guys I would get the 1660 GD instead of the 1860.
But with the rocks like was said above you might want to look into a custom with a 3/16 bottom.


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And a jet drive. You can run a lot shallower over hard bottom/rocks and a whole lot faster..

Weldcraft makes a john boat for jet drives

It's simple. get a mud motor. shoot ducks in the face.

Get a custom 18x60 and be done

If all you hunt is rocky rivers, I agree with these guys get a jet. I had a muddy buddy and basically shattered 2 props in a season on rocks even with the rock guard on. It seemed to find the sides of rocks as I slipped through. I have an 18x54 with jet tunnel and a 60/40 merc jet. It drafts about 6 inches and less when On plane. If you go wider to 18x60 you have to bump up to the 90/60 jet otherwise it won't be enough to get on plane quickly.


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I mostly run freestone rocky rivers, I had a 1860 sold that and currently have a 1960. Speed I could care less about. I made the switch from a jet to a surface drive 5 years ago. And will never put another jet on a boat. That's my opinion. Knock on wood still have not broke a prop, I do always carry a spare just incase. But I also will not go wot when not in rivers channel. Know the water you go on it helps, I am on these rivers over 200 plus days a year so I know the danger zones. If you do not plan to hunt in ice, then I would go with the jet.

I have had several jets and I do like em but ill tell you now, find the biggest HP u can fit on the boat, and go one bigger. Especially if ur using it to hunt mainly because of the load. Last one I had was a 1860 G3 with a 90/65 Yammy 4 stroke. The jet uses more fuel so the 4 stroke helps with that, but u lose a good bit of planning power with the 4 stroke jet as opposed to a 2 stroke. The best u can get IMO for a new motor is the E-Tec. power of the 2 stroke, economy of the 4 stroke

Get a custom build and make it one size (foot) at least bigger than what you think you need. The initial investment wont even be much more than an Excel type boat but you will thank yourself later